The commercial for this movie features our heroes (the visiting Martian and his earthling friend) in the midst of a car chase. The Martian (Christopher Lloyd) shrinks the car, which goes into the sewer system and comes up in a toilet. We get the toilet-eye view just as a hugely overweight man is pulling down his pants to sit. This is a good indication of the movie’s subject matter and humor level.

It is also a good indication of the failures of the rating system. It is hard to imagine an appropriate age group for this movie, but because the language is euphemistic, it gets only a PG rating. As with Flubber, Disney has remade a familiar story with souped-up special effects, but with a poor script. Not recommended.

I disagree with the review. Yes, some potty humor is included and no, that is not really my thing. But this is actually one of my family’s favorite movies and as a parent I have not found inappropriate content for my elementary and middle school children. I am not sure why the target audience is listed as “preschool” — I think 4th thru 6th grade might be more accurate. I also think the review may reflect a taste issue rather than an offensive content issue. Just my two cents.

Nell Minow

Thanks so much for your comment! This is just the kind of conversation I hope to encourage on the site. We will fix the age recommendation problem — that has occurred with many of my reviews that were transferred over from another system. And yes, the review does reflect a taste or perhaps I should say opinion issue rather than a content issue, but that is in part what a review is for. And that is why it is so helpful to get a range of responses. Thanks again and I hope you will let me know of your family’s reaction to the other movies you like and don’t like as well.

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